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Based upon the story by Rev. W. Awdry
Adapted by Rachel Ravens
Takes place between TACO and LECDBT
A couple of months had gone by since James bought the inspector to see Sir Topham Hatt, and right now, it was the thick of the Summer rush. People were flocking to the North Western Railway to see it's engines, and extra trains were scheduled everywhere.
"Another express run, Gordon?" asked Skarloey in surprise. "That's your third one today!"
"I know," he replied. "I do like a good long run to stretch my wheels."
"I can understand that," replied the old engine. "Though if we work too hard, we could break down in the middle of the line."
Gordon was about to say something else, but then he remembered what Edward said. Don't let them worry about me. They've got enough on their footplate as is. "I'll be careful, Skarloey." he spoke instead. "You and Rheneas take care too."
"We will," smiled Skarloey. The guard's whistle blew, and Gordon puffed away.
"Come on!" Gordon called to the coaches as he puffed along. "Come on, come on, come on! The passengers rely on me to be on time."
"They rely on all the engines, Gordon," said his driver. "And it's better we get there safely than on time."
"Oh, what's the worst that could happen?" asked Gordon. "The viaduct is as solid as a rock!"
"Don't say I didn't warn you," shrugged the driver.
Gordon eventually got to Vicarstown, where he managed to bring the train to a gentle stop. He then went to get coal and water for his return run.
"Come on, Gordon," said his fireman. "After this, we'll have another express run to do."
"Ah well," Gordon smiled, "another chance to give me exercise."
That evening, Gordon came back to the sheds after his usual evening train, followed closely by Edward.
"Not a bad run…" Gordon tried to surpass a yawn as he got onto the turntable, but that didn't work. "Not my best time, but I wasn't late."
"You alright, Gordon?" asked Percy. "You seem a bit tired."
"Just had… more runs than usual, little Percy." Gordon backed down into his berth. Edward then got onto the turntable and backed down into his own berth.
"There sure are a lot of trains this year." sighed the blue engine. "I'm glad you showed up last year, Toby."
"Maybe we'll need another engine at this rate." Toby suggested. "The Ffarqhuar branch line is becoming packed with passengers and goods as is."
"If I wasn't station pilot, I might have been able to help," sighed Percy.
"Never mind, Percy," said Thomas. "As I said, you're welcome to take Annie and Clarabel any time."
The next day, Sir Topham Hatt came to see the engines. Gordon's fire had trouble burning properly.
"What's wrong, ol' boy," said the driver when he saw the weak fire.
"I don't know…" Gordon yawned. "I… I'm just tired this morning."
"Indeed you are," Sir Topham Hatt nodded. "You won't be out in time for the express. James, is your fire burning well?"
"Yes it is, sir!" said the red engine.
"Then you will pull the express," he smiled.
"Oh, I'll get to that right away!" he grinned, and when the turntable turned his way, he got on it to depart.
"I guess that means I'll cover James' goods to Peel Godred," said Edward.
"That would be a good idea," said Sir Topham Hatt. But amidst the chaos that had transpired in the recent months, Sir Topham Hatt had forgotten about Edward's worn parts, and by the time he heard the clanking noises, Edward was already gone.
"Oh, bother!" Sir Topham Hatt sighed. "I should have shuffled the schedule around more so Henry could take the express. I'll get Nicole to cover Edward's next train for now I suppose..."
"He's being very stubborn, sir," sighed Thomas as he moved off to tend to his own jobs. Percy followed suit, and as Toby went to join them, Sir Topham Hatt heard more clanking noises.
"Toby." he called to the tram engine. "You don't sound like you're in proper working order either."
"Oh, yes sir," Toby admitted. "These problems started in the last couple of months. The Summer rush has been taking a toll on me."
"We can't have that." the controller told him. "You are going to the Steamworks as soon as I can arrange it."
"Can I take Henrietta with me too, sir?" asked Toby.
"I'm sorry, Toby," replied Sir Topham Hatt. "What would the passengers do without her, especially during the Summer rush?"
Toby frowned. "Alright, sir…" He trundled sadly off to follow Thomas to the branch line; Percy took the crossover to the yards.
"Don't worry, Toby," said Percy, having heard the conversation. "I'm sure Thomas or I can step in and look after her until you get back. And I'm sure Julie can handle the yard work when I'm looking after Henrietta."
"A third coach won't be a problem for me, Toby," Thomas assured.
"Well, Thomas," said Toby. "There's just one thing you have to promise me about Henrietta."
"What would that be?"
"No racing with her!" he said firmly. "Annie and Clarabel are more durable than Henrietta so they can handle it."
"Oh!" Thomas was a bit shocked by this statement, but when Toby used that tone of voice, it was best not to argue with him. "I completely understand, Toby."
"We both do," agreed Percy. "Don't worry, Toby. Henrietta's in good buffers with us, and she gets along very well with Annie and Clarabel."
"I'm glad to hear that," Toby was satisfied with the responses from the two tank engines, and headed to collect Henrietta from the coach shed; Thomas collecting Annie and Clarabel from the other track of the shed.
"I know Thomas and Percy both mean well," said Toby as he trundled along with Henrietta, "but we have known each other since I met you on the tramway. I just feel that sometimes, they may not… you know..."
"Understand me like you do?" chuckled Henrietta. "Oh, Toby, you worry too much sometimes."
"Isn't that what engines do with their coaches?" Toby couldn't help but manage a small smile. "I guess Thomas would react the same way if someone else took Annie and Clarabel."
"I don't know," Henrietta pointed out. "He always says he's very grateful when you or Percy step in."
"I guess it's because Thomas sees Annie and Clarabel as his sisters, and we're a couple," Toby commented.
Henrietta chuckled. "Well, when you put it like that..."
The two eventually got to Knapford, where they met up with James.
"You know, little Toby and Henrietta," he said, "I'm an important engine now; everybody knows it. They come in crowds to see me flash by. The heaviest trains make no difference. I'm as regular as clockwork. They all set their watches by me. Never late, always on time, that's me."
"Says you." replied Toby cheekily.
"Remind me again; why was he put on express duties instead of Henry?" muttered Henrietta.
"Sir Topham Hatt didn't have time to change the schedule." Toby replied.
James scoffed and puffed away. Just then, Sir Topham Hatt came out of the office.
"Okay, Toby," he said, "you're arranged to go to the Steamworks right now."
"Now?" gasped Toby. "Oh… okay, sir…"
It was fortunate that Thomas had come in with Annie and Clarabel.
"Take good care of her, Thomas!" called Toby as he was uncoupled. Thomas gently buffered up to Henrietta, and she was coupled to Clarabel.
"Good to see you, Henrietta," smiled Clarabel.
"It will be fun to have all three of us together," added Annie.
"And what does that make me?" joked Thomas. "An international engine?"
The four of them gave a hearty laugh at Thomas' random remark.
"Now, Thomas, remember what Toby said," Annie advised. "No racing with Henrietta with us."
"I understand, Annie," Thomas agreed. "I'll make sure to let Bertie know when we meet up with him."
Later, Toby was travelling light engine down the main line. He had to stop often for water, as he had a small water tank, and as he was a little engine, he couldn't go very far very fast. But Toby didn't mind.
"All the signalmen know me," he said to himself. "I can take all the time I need to get to the Steamworks."
At Kildane, Edward came back out with the goods train that he took to Peel Godred, and was taking on coal.
"Edward, there you are," said Toby as he went over to the water tower. "I've been meaning to talk to you. It's… kind of an old engine thing."
"Oh?" asked Edward in surprise. "I'm not due to leave for another ten minutes. Sure, Toby. Go ahead."
"It's… about what's been going on for these past few months," he began. "Speaking as a friend, everyone's been very concerned about you."
Edward sighed. He knew that something like this would come up.
"What's going on, Edward?" asked Toby. "Why aren't you going to the Steamworks to get repaired?"
"It's… kind of a long story." the blue engine replied. "There's two reasons why I didn't go to the Steamworks when I first started clanking, Toby. One is…. I've just been worried sick about the little engines."
"Skarloey and Rheneas?" asked Toby.
"Yes," sighed Edward. "Both have done so much for me when I was young. They were my first real friends, I mean, other than Annie and Clarabel. They stood up for me against the two rude engines that were here before Gordon and Henry arrived, and taught me everything I know about handling trains. And now they're on the verge of closing and constantly breaking down. I fear for both of them."
"That… does make sense." Toby realised. "And would I be right in assuming the other reason is because of the two engines that were rude to you when you were new here?"
"Well… yes." Edward said quietly. "I know; it's embarrassing. Gordon and James have mellowed out, - and their teasing isn't nearly as bad as those engines that were sent away - but sometimes their taunts give me bad flashbacks."
"You'd be surprised how concerned even Gordon and James are at the moment," Toby admitted. "I admit, they have a funny way of showing it, but they don't want you breaking down in the middle of the line."
"I see," Edward gave a small smile. "Well, if I'm honest with myself, the concern that everyone's been having for me has been making me see I was being foolish."
"So, you'll go to the Steamworks then?" said Toby. "We can go together. It would be less lonely there with both of us for company."
"Well, we've only got eleven other engines running with you there, minus the Peel Godred engines," Edward sighed. "And with me also gone, that would narrow it to ten. Plus, it's the Summer rush, and the Midland engines can't be on my branch line all the time."
"I can see your points, Edward, but…"
"I promise, Toby, I will get to it," said Edward. "I just want to wait for the summer rush to calm down and for you to be back first, okay?"
"Okay then," Toby was satisfied with that answer. "As long as you won't brush off these concerns like they don't mean anything."
Toby's water tank was about three quarters full, when the signalman came rushing up. It was a new signalman, one that neither Toby nor Edward recognised.
"There's no time for that drink!" the signalman cried. "We must clear the line for the express."
"I'm about ready to go," said Edward. "I'll just move the trucks out of the way, and-"
"James will be up the line within a few minutes," the signalman continued. "Hurry now to the next station! And you wait here until James passes."
The signalman hurried away, and Toby's driver reluctantly turned off the tap.
"Well, that was rude!" snapped Edward. "Toby, do you want me to help you to the Steamworks?" he asked in a kind manner.
"No thank you, Edward," replied the tram engine. "I think I can make it to Kellsthorpe Road, fill up on water there and keep going."
"Okay then," said Edward. "I'll see you when you get back home, Toby."
"Likewise." The tram engine trundled down the track, while Edward went into the siding to wait for James to pass.
"I've got to hurry," Toby said as he puffed along. "Three quarters of my tank full should be enough for me to get to Kellsthorpe Road."
Unfortunately, it was not enough at all. With Toby going faster than he would have liked, his water was depleting much quicker than usual.
"Oh dear!" gasped the driver. He quickly damped Toby's fire. "Come on, ol' boy." he spoke encouragingly as they struggled along. "We'll get to the next station."
Toby tried hard to move along, but even with the efforts made by his crew, he stopped right in the middle of the line.
"Rattle my cowcatchers!" he exclaimed. "Why didn't I accept Edward's offer…"
"Easy there, boy," said his driver, while the fireman put detonators on the tracks.
"I'll teach that signalman!" fumed the fireman as he rushed back to the station.
"What?!" James exclaimed when he heard the news. "Didn't you know about Toby's water tanks, you idiot?! Now I'll be late!"
"Okay, to be fair, I'd never seen Toby before!" retorted the signalman. "I was just put on the job yesterday."
"You could have listened to the explanation!" Toby's fireman argued.
"Alright, alright!" snapped James' driver. He then turned to James. "You'll have to push Toby to the Steamworks."
"What, me?" growled James. "Push Toby and pull my train too?"
"Yes, you."
"I will not!" retorted the red engine. "He should have accepted Edward's help here."
"Edward's already departed for Knapford with the goods train." sighed James' fireman. "And Toby's blocking the line."
More people argued with James, including his crew, Toby's fireman, the guard and the passengers.
"Fine!" James gave in at last; Toby's fireman joined James' crew in his cab. He puffed all the way to where Toby was stranded with his driver. "Get on, you!" He gave Toby a bump as they continued on their way.
"Fancy getting stranded in the middle of the main line." James grumbled.
"Okay, not my best idea," muttered Toby. "But it was also the signalman's fault."
"I guess he does take some of the blame." James grunted.
The two engines got to Crovan's Gate, with James red in the face and exhausted.
"Whoa, what happened?" asked Rheneas as he stood with the old coaches.
"Don't ask, Rheneas," grumbled James. "Just… don't ask…"
"Ooh, Jake!" called a boy, "look, the express was late!"
"And it was a double header as well," added Jake. "You know what I think Ned?"
"What do you think?" asked Ned.
"I think," smirked Jake. "That James couldn't pull the train, and Toby had to help."
"That's not true!" snapped James, letting off steam crossly. Rheneas was very confused by the whole display, but couldn't help but chuckle.
"I'll explain things to you before I get mended," laughed Toby.
The End
Mashing up the TV and RWS stories here worked really well. There were pros and cons to each one. I did like how the RWS story is a direct continuation of Gordon Goes Foreign, but that couldn't work for this version as Duck was present, and in Zack's version, he mentions Paint Pots and Queens, which didn't happen at the time of this story.
While I did like Percy and Henrietta passing by in the real episode to collect Toby's fireman, I don't see that happening realistically. What on earth are Percy and Henrietta doing so far from the branch line? Furthermore, Percy is station pilot at this point.
If you look closely at the book illustration, you can see Beatrice in the background, which must mean one of the Skarloey engines had brought a passenger train. In the books, this would have been Sir Handel or Peter Sam, but here, it was Rheneas, as it takes place earlier in the timeline.
We also get to see Toby and Edward have their long overdue talk, where Edward unloads a lot of his past onto Toby in one go. It's astonishing that these two haven't had many scenes together, as they are so similar yet so different at the same time.
One more episode in the block between TACO and LECDBT, so be on the lookout for that.
